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Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, University of Newcastle

Over the past decade my main research interests have focused on the interaction of nutrients and genes in human health, particularly:-

1) Genetic variations that may act as risk factors for serious human conditions such as heart disease, stroke, several cancers, depression, dementia, spina bifida and other conditions affecting pregnancy outcomes, and their potential to modify nutrient (especially folate) bioavailability and alter levels of biological mediators and markers.

2) Early life programming of disease; examining whether nutritional status and/or environmental factors at conception can select gene polymorphisms that modify embryo viability and/or subsequent adulthood disease, and exploring the molecular mechanisms that may link fetal nutrition (i.e maternal under-nutrition) to later life disease status.

3) Health issues associated with mandatory fortification of grain at source with synthetic folic acid, and determining optimal levels of this and other micro-nutrients for specific genetically defined populations to lower disease risk, especially via DNA instability.

Experience

  • 2012–present
    Lecturer, University of Newcastle
  • 2007–2012
    Research Fellow, University of Newcastle

Education

  • 2003 
    University of Leeds, PhD